The two middleweights clash in Las Vegas on Saturday night in one of the most eagerly-awaited fights in the sport.

And both men are aware of the career-defining nature of the bout.

Canelo said: "I know what I have in front of me. I know he's a strong fighter. He is the most dangerous opponent of my career, but I'm ready for him and what's next to come. That's why we prepared, and also to give the fans a beautiful fight.

“This fight's for you; this fight's for all the fans who have been asking for it. We know that in fights, it takes two to tango. I'm ready, and you know what you'll get from me. Let's just hope he brings it as well.

Canelo Alvarez with his team in Las Vegas (Image: Getty Images North America)

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"I'm excited and happy that the fight is almost here. I've been focused like always with my training in this camp. I'm going to do and use whatever I need to be one step ahead of Gennady in the ring.

“Without a doubt, our fight on Saturday will be one of the great fights in the history of boxing. Golovkin will bring out the best in me."

Golovkin defends his IBF, WBA and WBC world titles at the T-Mobile Arena.

And he said: “I want to win this fight because for me this win will be like a history fight, like Leonard vs. Hagler. I believe the middleweight division will come back. And Canelo, he's a very special guy. Right now for us it's huge. Especially for me, it's huge.

Golovkin greets his fans at the grand arrivals (Image: Getty Images North America)

Canelo is bidding to become world champion again (Image: Getty Images North America)

“The story of the middleweight division, it's a long story. I remember a lot of great champions, like Carlos Monzon, Sugar Ray Leonard, Marvin Hagler, Bernard Hopkins.

“Right now I think new stories, new times for us. So many stories are huge in the middleweight division. To be a champion is huge."

Canelo v Golovkin is live this Saturday night on BoxNation Box Office. Press the Box Office button on your Sky remote or buy online at boxnation.com.